The truth about a complex built for veterans and the middle class and how it has evolved through the years to become one of the more interesting and controversial of New York stories.

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Monday, June 22, 2009

Oval Lawn in Complete Ruin

A blog reader sent in these two photos of Stuyvesant Town's Oval Lawn in its present condition. With the lousy weather we've been having, the "concerts," the farmers market, and the sloppy use of the space, this lawn is more a disaster than ever. How much worse can it get? Stay tuned!

13 comments:

Applcations are now being accepted at Oval Concierge for a new TS-sponsored activity -Mudwrestling on the Oval. Matches will be held in all weight classes from featherweight to superheavyweight for both men and women.Matches will commence at 6AM SHARP Sat June 28 with the playing of the National Anthem over loudspeakers.Grand prize will be dinner for 2 with NYC's # 1 Power Couple (at least in their minds) Jerry Speyer and his wife Katherine Farley

Where the ersatz farmer's market sets up there's some spectacularly deep, muddy gulches courtesy of the driving-impaired ST "security" officers. There's no way in hell that area will ever see grass again.

Ahh, that explains why one of the little peace officer nazis told me not to take pictures of "the property" and implicitly threatened to confiscate my camera if I didn't follow orders (like a good little German).

I've had a security guy tell me I'm not allowed to take photos of the property, and I told him he was wrong and should check with his superior. He did and found out I was right, and that was that. This was a couple of months ago, though.

Stuyvesant Town was referred to as a park by TS PR and people from all over were invited to the Concerts on the Oval and advised to bring a frisbee. Since when can't people take pictures in a park? It's a public park when it suits them and private property at other times. All it really is is that TS is embarrassed by this blog and Lux Living and they're trying to censor these blogs. Why does TS have the right to bring in a weekly farmers market or food trucks and Verizon tables for concerts and do commercial things on residential property? This is out of control and ridiculous.

Well, I haven't heard anything official, so I will continue to take photos whenever I want to. If Tishman Speyer doesn't want photos taken of the property, it can only be because the photos that are taken of the property, and posted on the internet, are an embarrassment to them. In other words, they are afraid of the truth and wish to squash it.

But, legally, Tishman Speyer may have to give notice somehow of this new rule (if it is a new rule), either by posting signs up or sending notices to Stuy Town and PCV residents.

They'll also have to prove that they have the legal right to institute and enforce such a rule. Even though they are in bed with Bloomberg, I don't think they can arbitrarily write their own laws. Jerry and Robbie can pass gas, but not legislation.

How can they stop people from taking pictures? People have cameras and cell phones. Cameras are everywhere. If they had kept this place as beautiful as it was they'd be proud of the pictures. They destroyed it and think they can keep that a secret. There can't be any rule to stop people from taking pictures. You don't leave your rights outside when you enter this TS-made swamp. TS and their skeleton security team will not be able to stop picture taking. What right do they have anyway? Creeps.

There's no way these assholes can stop people from photographing the property - and comparing it with how it used to look - and posting it on the internet. I send the links to this blog and LuxLiving to friends and family all over the world. They have all visited over the years and seen what Stuyvesant used to be like and what is like now that Tishman Speyer have trashed it. Oh, and my sister and brother in law own a travel agency in London where they specialize in shopping and food/drink oriented group trips. They now warn their clients to avoid the Top of the Rock because it is owned by one of New York's most prolific homewreckers and slumlords. A lot of people listen and strike that off their list.

You can legally take pictures of anything that is visible to the general public (without special equipment — e.g., a telephoto lens), whether it or you are on public or private property.That means you can legally take pictures of children, athletes, people on the street, beach bathers,buildings, cars, policemen, accident scenes, government officials, airplanes, airports, trains, and so on.

You can legally take pictures when you are on private property, if that property is open to the public(e.g., a mall or office complex).Perhaps a better phrase is: If anyone can see it, you can shoot it.

You do not need permission to take pictures. The answer to thequestion, “What law says you can take that picture?” is “You’ve got it backwards. What law says I can’t?”

All that said, there are two important caveats.

1. While there are few exceptions to what you can photograph,there are exceptions to what you can publish. (More on that ina moment.)2. Although it is legal to take pictures while on private property,you could still be guilty of trespassing if the owner of thatproperty tells you not to, or if he demands that you leave.

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ST Reporter: The last part is interesting because in one case mentioned on Lux's blog a commentator says security wanted to know if the photographer was a resident. It could very well be that a non-resident may be prohibited from taking a photo here, but a resident should have no problem. (After all, it is his or her home.) Now Lux apparently doesn't live in Stuy Town, but the vast majority of the photos on his are submitted by Stuy Town residents. I am a Stuy Town resident myself, so would certainly not be trespassing here when I am taking photos.

THINKING of Renting in PCVST?

Read Yelp reviews to find out what it's like living here. Please note: All apartments are currently "rent-stabilized" but that doesn't prevent apartments from going up to 4K to 6K a month and even higher. How does this happen? Ask our politicians! Fact: Now less than half of the complex's apartments have the old rents and it's getting worse year by year--or better if you are the Real Estate Board of New York!

The Other Yelp Reviews

Yelp can be tricky and bounce reviews for a variety of reasons, like being a member and posting just one review. Very often, however, these reviews hold important truths about what's being reviewed. READ THESE TOO.

BICYCLES, MOPEDS, SCOOTERS, ETC.

Of course, "private property" but "public access" - whatever that means! And if a part of it is public access, do the rules of the city apply to our roads and sidewalks? Or does anything give because this complex is "private property"? Who comes here in case of a fire in one of our buildings? The Stuy Town Fire Brigade?

Hint: Look both ways if you are in the complex. Look on the ground, too!

61.03 Control of dogs and other animals to prevent nuisance. (a) A person who owns, possesses or controls a dog, cat or other animal shall not permit the animal to commit a nuisance on a sidewalk of any public place, on a floor, wall, stairway, sidewalk, lawn, garden or roof of any public or private premises used in common by the public, or on a fence, wall [or], stairway or entranceway of a building abutting on a public place

Banned & Oversize Dog Breeds in Stuy Town

Looks like there is some difficulty in enforcing the ban on certain dog breeds allowed inside Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village. Somehow pitbulls and pitbull mixes have been registered in STPCV and are allowed to be freely walked about the grounds! Registered dogs in the complex are max 50 pounds. Total, if there is more than one! More than two, it's illegal. It's going to get worse, and, face it, Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village will never be like it once was.

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Read it and Weep

Current Value of ST/PCV

Was 5.4 Billion Dollars when Tishman Speyer bought the place.Became 1.7 Billion Dollars when Tishman Speyer left, with their tail between their legs. Of course, tenants now have to make up the loss.

Ex-landlord

Rob Speyer

1947 Stuy Town Plaque Honoring Met Life Chairman F.H. Ecker (Removed in 2002 and never seen again)

"... who with the vision of experience and the energy of youth conceived and brought into being this project, and others like it, that families of moderate means might live in health, comfort and dignity in park-like communities and that a pattern might be set of private enterprise productively devoted to public service."

I am writing on behalf of everyone at Tishman Speyer to express how honored we are to become part of your outstanding community. We are a business with deep roots in New York, a true love of our city and a great respect for the neighborhoods that make it special. We are committed to maintaining the unique character and environment that have made Peter Cooper Village and Stuyvesant Town such a wonderful place to live for so long. We look forward to providing you an extraordinary level of service and attentiveness that will be the source of pride and satisfaction for the entire community.

Neighborhood Recommendations

New to Stuy Town/Peter Cooper Village? Here are some basic recommendations.

Best supermarket: Associated on 14th St. between 1st Ave. and Ave A. The cheapest prices, fantastic weekly sales, very affordable lunches; solid, responsive management. Some of the young female cashiers have attitude to spare, though. May be too far for Peter Cooper residents.

Best gym: Don't waste your money on the Oval Fitness Gym. Instead go to the earthy but real Asser Levy Recreational Center, right above 23rd St on Asser Levy Place (near the FDR Drive). $75 for a year's membership; seniors are almost free. Contains seasonal indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ping-pong table, two pool tables. Called by some rich people who wouldn't get caught going there "the prison gym," and you know why.

A Stuy Town favorite is Lenz's on 20 St. between the 20 St. Loop. The way New York used to be. Be careful of unwanted "pepper" in your food, however. Lenz's has a B grade rating and was temporarily closed down due to an order from the Health Department. Bruno's on First Avenue is more upscale, with a greater selection of food items (higher-priced, too), but was closed down temporarily by the Health Department in June.

Gracefully has two locations, but we prefer for it's size the one on 1st Ave. Prices are high and reflect the new tenants that are currently renting Stuy Town and Peter Cooper apartments. We like Gracefully's lunch specials, which are affordable.

Disappointments:

Starbucks. Both the Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village ones, but at least you can get a seat once in a while at the Peter Cooper Starbucks. The personnel seem nice, but the last time I was at the 23rd St one, I had to leave because the music was loud and screechy, so that I thought dying cats were screaming.

Macular Degeneration Support Group

If you are currently diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary is offering a support group for you. Conveniently located next to the Peter Cooper Village Stuyvesant Town apartment complex, our group offers the opportunity to share stories with other members, listen to expert guest speakers, and learn coping strategies to reduce stress. Our group runs on the first Wednesday of every month and we would enjoy seeing you there.
Please contact Baptiste Nicolas, Social Work Assistant at 212-979-4105 for further information and to see if this group is right for you!